I'm not going to lie...
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Some people genuinely annoy me on here, I'm ALL for furthering education but dreading those of us who choose to start with our ADN is complete disrespect.
Had my mother been healthier (she has RA... Read More

Feb 8, '13

I couldn't agree more. I'd also like to point out that an ADN is not "just a 2 year degree" anymore. I still had to take English, math, 2 psych classes, sociology, chemistry, A&P 1-2, micro and a communication course before I could start clinicals. I am all for higher education and I believe everyone should eventually get their BSN, but there is nothing wrong with having an ADN. Most of the ICU nurses at the hospital I work at are ADNs. Yes, it was always better to have more education but ADNs are more than capable of being great bedside nurses. I don't get offended at the idea of higher education. I embrace it. I get offended when people basically say that ALL BSN nurses are going to be better than their ADN co workers and that an ADN makes nursing look bad. I'm working hard for my degree. Just as hard as my bf is working for his BSN. I started at a 4 year university, did all the pre reqs for my BSN but wasn't accepted into the program. The only other BSN schools around would have made me take another 1.5 years of their pre reqs and I would have easily been 60,000 in debt. After I finish my ADN I will have my BSN within a year because I only need 6-7 classes for my BSN through my previous university. I will have my BSN at the same time I would've had it had I gone straight for it, and for a lot less money. So it made sense for me personally. Sure I would've loved to go straight for the BSN, however not everyone can shell out the money

Feb 8, '13

Oh, and in my area ADNs are still regularly hired in hospitals.

Feb 8, '13

I know it's not a popular thought but....I am a firm believer that new entry to practice should be a Bachelor's. I have absolutely no problem with current ADNs; just change the entry of practice for future nurses.

Feb 8, '13

I too started off with an Associate's (in Science not Nursing) when I decided to go back to school and pursue a BSN. I was a pharmacy tech before I went back to school, so I had the opportunity to save a good chunk of money and I have a good family support system as well. I do not see anything wrong with the way you are thinking, I think it is actually a good way to go and I plan on doing the same route when I decide to get a MSN, as in, I'll wait a bit, work as a BSN for some time, then get it later.

As for people who think they are better because they have more education under their belt, well they should think about this aspect, becoming a nurse in and of itself, whether ADN or BSN is a hard road and a grand accomplishment, plus, no matter what route you take, there is always an opportunity to get a higher education.

I know it's not a popular thought but....I am a firm believer that new entry to practice should be a Bachelor's. I have absolutely no problem with current ADNs; just change the entry of practice for future nurses.

And honestly, I'm not opposed to making RNs go back for their BSN within 10 years or eventually making the entry level a BSN. Not because I think ADNs aren't prepared enough or anything, they certainly are. However, I think it would help the nursing profession to be taken more seriously considering all other medical professions require a bachelors. The thing that gets me is the attitude some people have that being an ADN nurse automatically makes you a lesser nurse than a BSN. It's really disheartening sometimes to see posts that infer that ADN programs are much easier than BSNs and that you are not as smart coming out of an ADN program as a BSN.

Feb 8, '13

Many hospitals are going to be requiring it soon anyway. One local hospital told all their LPNs they had to go get their RNs within X amount of time or be demoted to some kind of administrative role. The same will hold true with the BSN. If you're an ADN they'll give you X amount of years to either get into a program or complete a program, or be demoted to a CNA status.

Licensing may or may not follow suit. Who knows.

Feb 8, '13

i apologize if i offended any ADN RN i didn't mean to, i was just ignorant of the fact that one could go to college for 2 years and qualify to sit the same exam that BSN students take. And then be granted the same scope of practice with similar compensation. that doesn't happen in my country, an RN equates to someone who went to a university for 4 years period, 2 years of education equates to a "nursing assistant" who went to a community college. This is simply maintaining a high standard of a profession.

Feb 8, '13

Why does this thread need to come up every couple weeks? There is enough strife and disagreement without bringing up this topic. We all sit for the same nclex. In my state 2 adn programs have the highest nclex pass rates in the state. And thanks. I have a 4 year degree. So I can critically think too. As can most of my classmates.

Proud to be going to going for my associates. As I will be debt free when I graduate.

Feb 8, '13

I hope none of my posts are ones that you are referring to! The only reason I usually point people in the way of a BSN is because in my area hospitals are requiring BSNs for new hires. In fact the hospital that is our biggest competition is forcing all of their nursing staff to obtain their BSNs, even ADNs who have been there for 30 or so years.

I cannot see the different between an ADN and a BSN. It is ridiculous really that BSNs hold so much higher of a reputation from certain people considering they take the SAME NCLEX! If ADNs can pass the same exam, shouldn't they be considered the same level? To me the only difference is BS classes that you aren't going to need unless you plan to go into management (Trends? Community Health? Gen Ed Courses?)

I appreciate every nurse I come into contact with as long as they work hard and are kind to their co-workers and patients, regardless of their education.

Feb 8, '13

I think everyone has their own methods and reasons for goign whichever way they choose. I do, however, find that from my experience from being on AN that I usually find a lot of posts from ADN nurses kind of "attacking" (probably not the best word choice) BSN nurses. Sometimes I feel like their are a lot of posts about ADN nurses are better prepared or have more clinical hours. I know teh latter isn't true in the least for my area but anyhow I see a lot of that and not so much the opposite. I may be wrong. I just don't get the fight. I would never put down an ADN nurse or student but when people talk about someone being proud of their degree well hell yes I am proud of my degree. It's a huge accomplishment. I would be equally proud if I graduated from an ADN program and I would not ever expect someone not to be proud of it. Nursing school is hard eitehr route-be proud! I am!

Feb 8, '13

I'm not entirely sure where you live but there is no way that what I am learning places me in a position to be a nurses assistant (not knocking on CNA).

Ultimately the BSN is 4-5yrs depending on prereqs
the ADN is 3-3yrs depending on prereqs

I cannot possibly conceive how it takes 3 years of education to be able to sit to be a nursing assistant...?

My program includes all the general classes:
Anatomy Physiology I & II
Microbiology
Pathophysiology
College Algebra
English Compition I & II
Psychology Intro
Psychology Growth and Development
Philosophy/Ethics

Then the nursing classes:
Foundations, Intermediate nursing skills, Intro to clinical, Health assessment, Medical surgical I, Medical surgical II, Medical surgical III, Pharmacology part I, Pharmacology part II, OB, Pediatrics, Psych, Management. We get no breaks, all the way through summer (ICU/ER rotation during the summer). <<< to name a few.

The crucial difference between ADN and BSN is that BSN receives more humanity classes, research classes, and cultural competency classes ... and health assessment ... WHICH now ALL ADNs are also obliged to take as part of their program due to the TBON. I'm not sure about other state-BONs

ADN and BSN nurses have the same scope of practice.. they both sit to become Registered Nurses.

Feb 8, '13

Like I said ... It is 3 years for ADN

4 for BSN

the difference is a cultural/managerial aspect.

Feb 8, '13

I don't believe I actually said, and I did not mean it to come off such way. My point was geared towards the degrading of the ADN. I completely believe obtaining your BSN and MSN is good... I plan to do that ... why would I oppose it?